Internal-combustion engine.



--. A. CHRISTENSEN.

INIERNAL comausnow ENGINE. APPLICATION FRED DEC. 8.1913.

1 ,253',669. Pdtented Jan. 15, 1918.

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N. A. CHRISTENSEN. INTEQNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE. Armcmon men DEC. 8. ma.

Patented Jun. 15, 1918."

3 Els -SHE;-

w .5 r t aw VbiTm 66191? 6 I" T" 4 02km ,NIELS CHRISTENSEN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1 913.

Application filed December 8, 1913. Serial No. 8 D5, 287.

To all whom. it may concern tie it known that l, inns A. CnRIsTEN- snx, citizen of the United States, residil'ig at ii flilwaukce. in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visrtmsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inter.-

nal-Combustion Engines, of which the fol lowing is a specification. reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof. a

This invention relates to starting apparatus of the type shown and described in my application Serial No. 630,630, filed June ring the usual ignition system, a compr or, a reservoir for the (ZOIH l. starting fluid, means for carbureting the start-mg fluid, a distributing valve for adn'iittiing the compressed fluid into the engine cylinder on the firing strokes of the piston, an outwardly closing checkvalve in the connection between the cylinder and the distributing valve,'and a-drivers valve controlling the CUllLlUCiLlUIIS of the, compressor and distrilmting valve with the reservoir.

The main objects of the present invention are to group the distributing valve and the compressor with a carburetcr in a compact self-contained unit in which the distributing valve and the compressor have a common driving connection, thereby facilitating the application of the apparatus to cars and engines of different makes; to insure a rich or thoroughly carbureted initial compressed fluid charge for starting the engine; and generally to simplify and improve the construction and opepation of starting apparatus of this class.

It consists inthe construction, arrangement and comliiination of parts as hereinafter particularly described and pointed out )II the claims.

In the accom 'ianymg drawing like characters designate the same parts in-the several Figure 1 is a plan or top view of unitary.

tal section on the line 7-7, Figs..2 and 5; Fig. 8 is a vertical cross section on the line 8--S Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 99, Fig. 1;; and Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but in a plane at right angles thereto, looking toward the carbureter cl'uimher, of a modification. of the compressor controller.

The apparatus comprises a compressor a, the crank 7), of which may be connected manually or by an automatic controller as shown. in Fig. i, with a driving shaft 0,

g which has a hearing sleeve (l in the carbureter casing e, and in turn may be connected with and driven by any convenient rotating part of the engine, such as the crank shaft.

To effect the manual and automatic coritrol of the compressor, a rotary and recipw rocating clutch member is confined in the hearing (Z, between the crank b and the shaft 0. This. clutch member is provided at one end with a tongue g, which is in. constant engagement with a cross slot in. the end of the crank shaft, and at the other end it is provided with a shorter tongue h, which is adaptedto be shiftedinto and out of engagcment'with a cross slot in the end of At each end beyond these another pinion 5, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, and indicated by dotted lines-in Fig. 5. The pinion 70. engages, as shown in Fig. 3, w th circular rack teeth on a plunger or p1ston l, fitted in a cylinder at, which is formed in the casin 6. This plunger Z is preferably made 'iollow, being open at one endand' closed at the other end, with the excep tion ot a leak [JflSStlgfi n. The closed end of the plunger forming a piston head, is provided'w'ith a leather packing cup 0 so cured thereto by a washer and. a screw 7 threaded in the plunger and formed with the leak passage The lower end of the; screw is formed with an axial bore to receive a tube g projecting upwardly into the cylinder from the lower 40 v of the compressed starting fluid to the en which the open end ,15

head in which it'is secureu, and forming an extension of anair passage 7 in the cylinder wall, and it is adapted to rest on a lug on the lower cylinder head, forming a stop for limiting the downward movement of the plunger and preventing deformation and in nry of the leather packing cup 0. The tubular extension ,9 and the cylinder wall form a well for oil or other suitable liquid, which will keep the leather packing cup pliable.

The cylinder m is provided at the end adjacent to the open end of the plunger with a ports and a packing ring or disk t, against ,of the plunger bears when it is shifted to start the compressor, thereby forming. a fluid tight joint for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The port 8 communicates, as shown in Fig. 3, with a compressed air storage chamber u, in the carbureter casing e.

The pinion shaft is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, with a handle u, f0r manually operating the clutch member f and connecting the crankshaft of the compressor with the driving shaft 0.

As in the apparatus covered by my former application, thedischarge port of the com-v pressor is connected by a pipe w, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with a drivers or manually operated controlling. valve not shown), which controls its connection with a tank or reservoir (notshown) or with the atmos- 'phere. A pipe as connects the passage 7' in e the'controller cylinder m with the pi e w, 35

through a passage in the cylinder hea outside the seat of the discharge valve, which is not shown, but is like or similar to that illus trated in my former application.

The distributing valve mechanism for controlling and properly timing the delivery the valve chambers are closedby caps 2, and

springs 3, interposed between the caps and theyalves tend to close the valves and to hold them against their seats. The valve chambers outside of the valve seats are connected by ports orpassages 4, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, with a cylinder or pressure chamber 5, with which the valve casing is formed or provided. The valve chambers are connected inside of the valve seats by passages on ports 6. shown in Fig. 5, and by pipes 7, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, with the several engine cylinders (not shown). The cylinder or pressure chamber 5 is'connected with the drivers valve and through it with the compressed air tank or the atmosphere, by a pipe 8, Figs. 2 and 9, and passages 9, 10, 11 and 12, formed respectively inthe carbureter cover 13, casing, e, distributor stand 14, casing z and cap 15.

1 lower end with A cam 16, by which the-distributing valves 3,1 are actuated for starting the engine, is

mounted and movable lengthwise on a square stem 17 which is threaded in the end of a shaft 18 etxially therewith, as shown in Fig. 5. The shaft 18 is connected with the shaft 0 by spiral gears 19 and 20,-and is provided with bearings in the carburetercasing e and in the distributor stand 14, which is formed as shown in Fig. 5, with a tubularstem fitted and secured in a socket.

in. said casing. The stem 17 is secured in place by a jam nut 21, which when loosened will permit the stem to be turned in the' projects outwardly beyond the stem "17, is

provided with a spherical bearing engaging ahardened ball 23, mounted in the plunger in alincment with the axis of shaft 18.

cam with the piston is t rust upwardly and held normally out of operative relation to The" the inwardly projecting stems of the valves 7 by a spring 24, inserted between the outer end of the stem 17 and the outer end of the hub of the cam 16. The lower end of the cam is beveled or tapered ,lengthwise as shown in Fig. 5, so that when it is shifted by the plunger 22 into operative position, 1t

will thrust whichever of the valve stems may be in its path, outwaw and open the corresponding valve 11 as shown in Fig. 7.

The lower end of the plunger 22, when it is thrust downwardlyby the admission of compressed air or gas into the chamber 5 above the plunger, is pressed and held tightlwagainst a stat or shoulder at the lower end of said chamber, thereby. prevent ing the escape of the compressed starting .fiuid through the bearings of the valve stems j The plunger in its ilt and of the shaft 18.

outer and normal position, closes the ports.

or passages 4, as shown in Fig. 6, and'in its inner position opens said ports, communication between them and the'passage 12.

The carbureter comprises a'chamber 25, formed in the casing c, and movable vertically 27, threaded in the cover 13, as shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9. The nozzle, which projects downwardly into the chamber 25below the liquid level therein. opens at its upper end into the passage 9, andis provided at its a retaining ring 28 for bolding-the float thereon when the cover $13 is removed from the carburetor casing e.

To sn iplythe chamber 25 with 'asolcne orother liquid fuel, the cover 13 is formed, as shown in Fig. 8, with a passage 29, terestablishing and-a float 26, guided upon. a spray nozzle minat-ing at its outer end in a cavity 30. A 1.80

olene or other lit aid fuel before it enters the carburetor chain er.

An upwardly or o'iitwarlilly closing needle valve 34., guided and having a t in. the passage .29 is operated by the float cc to regalate the How of gasolene or otl'ier liquid fuel. into thechalnbcr 25. and to maintain a suhstantially constant liquid level in said. cha1nher. To limit the downwarrgl movement of the valve 34, its stern provided with a collar, which is adapted to rest upon a stop flange or collar on the nozzle iii] as shown in Fig. 8, when the valve open. 'll-The ljiassage '29 provided with check valve 35., which closes outwardly' thus allowing" in'essure to be established and maintained in the chain ber while the starting apparatus is in operation.

As shown. in. Fig. 9, the vertical passage 10 in the carlnireter casing "c, forms a well which communicates near the bottom with the chamber 25, through a. small opening or leak passage 37, thus allowing the gasolcne or other liquid fuel to Flow from said chainher into said well, and to till it to the same level. The tube 38., secured. in the cover 13.,

with itsupper end in communication with the passage 9, extends downwardly into the well 10 below the liquid enlargenicntat the end. oil the passage 9 in the carburcter cover. 18 with which press d cafes directly through tin-opening or port 39 with the upper part of the chamber The shaft chas a reduced, tapered. exten sion :l' at one end projecting from the ns i in g tor the attmalinient of a gear, a]:

wheel or other d riringg member for connect ing it with the cranlr. sheila or other coni'en lent rotating pat of the en inc, and it tru'n'ied or :[Illlfli'jltl 'l adjacent to such eaten-- sioit. as shown in Fig 1 with. a cell: which is fitted in a rec the end. of the casing a, an d is conlincd Y in. by an. annular cap or plate bolted. to the casii'ip 'll'i'e. cap or plate 4H3 .s formed on the inner next to the collar ll with an annular retrss in :h. a paclring washer 43 inserici'l, to form a, 1st and oil tight joint.

is shown in 1. l: andv 8, the bearing rl of shaft n'is provided with an oil sn i 'ily pipe H, and. iforincd adjacent to the 11% For the coil -;l-l., with an internal ai'n'iularoil groove it connect. l by a lonpdtiuliinil. duct 40 in the under sielr, of the bearing with the cranlt case of the L.(ill'l})1t)EI-3$5()Y which is in'ovided with an oil outlet pipe al-JT. The supply pipe -l-l and. the outlet pipe 4?, will, when practicable, be coir l with the labricating system oi. the supineto which the air supply pipe 8 connects, ctunrnunimasses 8' starter is applied, the supply pipe 44 being formed with two chambers 18 and 49 and the toothed plunger Z which meshes with the pinion 7c is fitted in the chainl'icr +8 and is connected by a stem 50 passing through an. opening in the partition between the chambers with a piston head 51 having a working flt in the chamber 19. Compressed I air is admitted to and released. from the chamber 49 below the piston head through a passage 1'" formed in the lower cylinder head, and. a passage 8' connects said chamber above the piston head with the storage charnher it. The piston head 51. formed or pro vidcd on the upper side with a valve 52, which has a seat in the partition between said chambers around the opening for the stern 50. p r

In this form of controllcrthe principle of which is the same as that of the other, the packing for piston head and upper cylinder head omitted.

In the operation of the apparatus, to start the engine. air at the requisite pressure is admitted by the proper manipulation of the drivers valve from the 'tank or reservoir through the pipe F5 into the passage 9 in the carbureter cover, from which it freely enters the c amber port 39, thereliiy innnediatcly establishing reservoir pressure in said chamber. From the pr age ll the air flows downwardly throi h 1 .ie tube 38 into the well 10, thence through the passages 11 and 1.2 into the uppe end oi the cylinder or pressure chamber .5 in the distril'nitcr casing a. When compressed air at linittcd. to the carburetor the grasolenc or otluar liquid fuel cimtained. in chamber is tlmrcby forced. upwardly through the nozzle 12 7, which iglischarges it in. afls 'ira'y into pa poll, where it n'iixedv with the air as it rushes through the passage across the small (liscln'irge orifice of the nozzle. In. its passage through the well 10 the first air admitted to the carlnireter takes up the {IHSOlUflt' in said well, carrying it on through the passages 11 and 12 and the dis tril'uu'ing valve to the engine. The first charge dclivcird to the engine is thus thoroughly carburetor-l. 'therclv insuring the prompt and effective i'iperation oi'thc start-- ing apparatus.

llpon the admission of the'coinpressed 25 through the unrestricted into operative position relative to the s ems of thevalves y. The valve connected with the cylinder Whose piston is on its firing StlOliEyiS opened. by'this downwardanoveproper order on the firing strokes ot their pistons. V

l'ew impulses heing'sullicicnt to start the. engine, the supply of compressed air is shut off by the proper ii'iani 'iulation of the drivers valve from the 'startii'ig apparatus,

and the pipeS is opened to the atmosphere.

As the com 'n'essed starting mixture is released fronr the chamber 5, the spring 24 returns the cam 16 and the piston to their normal positions, thereby closing the, ports or passages 4 and pern'iitting all of the valves y to he closed. by the springs 3.; and to remain closed and inactive during the nor mal operation of. the engine.

\Vhen compressed air is released from the carburetor, the chamber is replcnisl'ied with gasolcne or other liquid fuel through the supply pipe 32, the needle valve 34 being closed by the fioat 26 when the liquid in said chamber reaches the desiredlevel. \Vhen the carhuret er is charged with compressed air and the boat 26 descends, the needle valve 34 will ordinarily be kept closed by the air pressure in the chamber but n case it should not be tightly closed, the l'ieckw'alve 535 will prevent escape of the air 'irough the passage 29 and the pipe 32, .rhich ordinarily c'onl'iectial with the tank from which the engineis supplied with fuel.

To chaige'the air tank or reservoir with compressed air, the drivers valve turned into position to connect; the tank or reservoir with the compressor a through the pipe 7 w. If there is sullicient pressure in the tank or reservoir, compressed air admitted therefrom through the pipe and passage 1 into the lower end of the controller cylinder m,

will shift the piston or plunger Z upward against the packing ring or disk t, thereby forming a fluid tight joint between the upper cylinder head'and the upper end ofthe piston around the cavity therein and the ports. This upward movement of the/piston turns the pinions j and is, shifting the clutch member f from the position in wh ch it is shown in Fig. 4 into engagement-w th the driving shaft 0, and the engme bemg started, operates the compressor which replenishes the air tank or reservoir through the pipe on. The compressor is thus started by the; proper manipulation of the drivers valve. If however there is insufficient pressure in the tank or reservoir to start the compressor in this way, the clutch member f is shifted into engagement with the driving shaft 0 by turning the pinion shaft manually with the handle 1'. \Vhen the desired pressure has been reached in the tank or.

reservoir, the drivers valve is turned into its neutral posit-ion to close communication between the compressor and the tank or reservoir and to open the pipe w to When the air is thus released tron: the lower end of the cylinder WQ'iii iQ expansion of the compressed air in the cavity of the piston. Z and in. the storage chamber a connected through the port 8 with the upper end of the cylinder or, shifts id piston back to its original position, as shown in Figs. 3 and This movement of the piston operates througlrthe pinions is and to shift the clutch lnen'lber f out of engagement with the drigving shaft (1, and thereby stops the compressor. When the piston Z ed to-its upperposition by the admi... ion of compressed air into the lower end of the cylinder mto start the compressor, it is positiyely held in that position long as the compressed air is confined in the cylinder below the piston by the unbalanced pressure against the lower end of the piston represented by the area between the internal circumference of the cylinder and the rim at the upper end of the piston which seated against the packing disk 6 and dorms" a [laid tight joint therewith. Alter the pistoo has been shifted to its zipper position,

as above stated, compressed air'grzuluallyleaks from the lower end of the cylinder 112- through the restricted passage a into the upper end of the cylinder and the cavity in the piston, and thence through the port or passage 8 into the storage chamber w. until the pressure in said chamber is equal to lower end of said cylinder. After the piston is shifted back to lts lOWeIPUSH/i013 m stop the compressor as above rxplinned, "the com pressed air confined in the clnnniaer and the upper end of the cyliruier r eradr l 1 escapes through the leak passage a into the lower end .of the cylinder, and thence through. the passage 7" and pipes and to the atn'iosphere at the drivers valve,

The ol'ieration of the rnod t d form of controller shown in Fig. 3. is vntiallv the same the operation of that. shown in Fi m 3 and When compressml all is admitted through the passage ir-o the lower end of the cylinder m to star: compressmg it acts on the full area of t on head .3 the open elos shift- .reservoir pressure or the pressure in the I and a driving shaft'arranged transversely by gears.

to the. cam shaft and connected therewith 6. Instarting apparatus for internal'com- 'bustion engines the combination of a caslng con'talning a carburetor chamber hav- .1ng a. compressed air supply connection; a

and with the valve chamber; a distributing valve controlling the supply of compressed carbureted mixture from the carburetento the engine; a shaft provided with. an aXi+ ally movable cam for operating the distributing valve; and a plunger fitted in said plunger chamber and adapted when compressed air is admitted to the carbureter chamber to shift said cam into operative position and to establish communication between the carburetor chamber and the distributing valve chamber.

7. In starting apparatus for internal com bustion engines the combination of a dis tributing valve, a shaft provirlulwith an axially shiftable cam for operating'sald valve, a carbureter connected with. the distributing valve chamber and having a compressed fluid supply connection, a fluid pres .sure actuated member adapted to shiftlsaid cam into operative position when conn pressed fluid is admitted to the carbureter,a driving shaft connected by gears with the cam shaft, a compressor having a crank shaft in. axial. alinement with the driving shaft, an axially movable toothed clutch member for operatively connecting. said crank shaft with the driving shaft, an incased toothed plunger and a shaft provided with pinions meshing with the teeth of said plunger and clutch and adapted to shift said clutch into and out of operative position when compressed fluid. is admitted to and released from said plunger.

8. In starting apparatus the combination of a compressor having a' crank shaft, a driving shaft in axial alinementwith said crank shaft, an axially movable toothed clutch member interposed between proxi i mate ends of said shafts, a casing-forn'ied with a piston chamber having a compressed air supply connection, an air storage chamber c n'mected with said piston chamber, a piston head provided with rack teeth and fitted in said piston chamber between its air supply connection and its connection with said storage chamber, and a Shaft provided with pinions meshing with said rack teeth and said toothed clutch member.

9. In starting apparatus for internal com bustion engines, the combination of a compressorv having a shaft, a driving shaft, clutch member for connecting the compres- B01 shaft with the driving shaft, a casing formed with a piston, chamber having a compressed air supply connection at one end ply connection and its connection with said storage chamber and provided with a valve adapted to close said opening when the piston head is shifted toward it by the admission of compressed air to the piston chamber through its supply connection, and a connection'between the piston stem which passes through saidopening and said clutch memben, I

10. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, the combination of a liquid fuel chamber, -a well having a re-,

stricted opening into. said chamber below the liquid level therein, a cpmpressed air supply connection opening directly into the upper part. of saidchamber, a passage leading fIOlTHSZUd air supply connection over said chamber into said \velV'and having an outlet above the opening from the well into. said chamber, and a'spray nozzle leading upwardly from said chamber below the liquid level therein into said passage.

11. Inv starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, the combination of a liquid fuel chamber, a well having a restricted openinginto said chamber below the liquid level therein, a compressed air supply connection opening into the upper part of said chamber, a passage leading from said air supply connection over said cham ber and opening into said well below the normal liquid level in said chamber, an outlet leading from said well above the opening of said passage into the same, and a spray nozzle leading upwardly from said cham ber below the liquid level therein into said passage. f

12. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines the combination of a.

liquid fuel chamber having a fuel supply connection, a valve controlling the admission of liquid fuel into said chamber, a float adapted to operate said valve and to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a compressed air supply connection opening directly into the upper part of said chamber, a compressed air passage leading from said air'supply connection over said chamber, a spray nozzle leading u \vardly from said chamber below the liquid level therein into said passage, and means for supplying the carbureted air underpressure to the c linder of an engine on the firing stroke'o the piston.

13. In. starting apparatus for internal combustion engines the combination of a. liquid fuel chamber having a fuel supply connection provided with an outwardly 1 closing check valve, a regulating va lve controllin the admission of liquid fuel into "said c'iumber, a float adapted to operate said valve and to maintain a substantially constant liquid level in said chamber, a compressed air supply connection opening directly into the upper part of said chamher, a restricted compressed air passage leading from said air supply connection over said chamber, a. spray nozzle leading upwardly from saidchamber below the liquid level therein and opening into said passage, and means for supplying the carureted air under of an engine on t e piston.

14;.111 starting up urutus for internal firing stroke of the combustion engines t in combination of e bearing-sleeve formed edjacent to one end with an internal annular oil groove dud" ro vided with an oil supply connection, a c riv ing shaft rotutnbly fitted in. said sleeve; a crank case into which said sleeve opens at the end opposite said, oil groove, a crank shaft having hearings in said. sleeve and case coaxial with the driving shaft, on oil outlet connection leading from said crank case, a, clutch member incloserl in said beur- 'ing sleeve between said. shafts and adapted to connect and disconnect the same und an Oll duct leading from said groove along ressure to the cylinder :ing with said clutch member.

the under side of saidbearing sleeve into said crank case.

15. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, the combination with a, compressor having a. crank case provided with an oil outlet connection and a. cylinder mounted upon and opening at its lower end into said case; of ti casing having a, befllllnlfi' sleeve opening at one end into said on I case above said outlet connection and provided with an oil'su ply connection and, transverse bearing s eeve intersecting the upper part of the other bearing sleeve, a. crank having bearings in said first mentioned bearing sleeve and crank case coaxial with shid driving shaft; an axially movable toothed clutch 'member rotatably said sleeve between the driving shaft and the adjacent crank journal and adapted to detnchably connect said shaft and crank,

, and a shaft mounted in said transverse bearing sleeve and provided with a pinion mesh- In Witness whereof 1 hereto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NIELS A. onnisrnnseiv. Witnesses: i

Guns. L. Goss, Amer-1E. Goss. 

